We know, we know: we said not to trust librarians or libraries after the bitter truth about #mellowghazi came out. But maybe you can be a different kind of librarian, a better librarian. You’ve got a perfect opportunity to find out if you can, because someone in Midwood is giving away one thousand (1,000) books this afternoon to whoever shows up and takes them. Time to start thinking of what you’ll call your new spot. Relaxed Leaves, maybe? (more…)

It’s barely a week into January, but if you’re like me the chances are you’re already terrified about all of the incidental medical expenses you’re going to incur in the year 2014—especially if you’re a woman with more, ahem, routine requirements. Men and rich people, this would be the time to stop reading recognize the myriad medical procedures your friends/ girlfriends and wives face. But ladies, rejoice: Wednesday, January 8 marks the inaugural Women’s Health Night at the Brooklyn Free Clinic in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens. Starting tomorrow and continuing on a monthly basis, uninsured women can mosey over to 840 Lefferts Avenue in order to seek out the services of volunteer physicians and gynecologists therein. (more…)

We are not the world’s most artistic people, it’s one of the reasons we use our words to make a living. That doesn’t preclude us (see, big word) from taking an interest in drawing things under the right circumstances. Like say, if there’s a bunch of alcohol involved. And then if you want to just go the extra step and decide we’re going to be drawing a sinful burlesque performer, well sure, what the hell, we’ll be there. Apparently Ditmas Park’s Bar Chord read our damn minds, because they now have themselves a burlesque drink and draw. Va-va-voom! (more…)

Not the fridge in question, so we guess this is more common than we thought? via Flickr user Todd Stadler

Oh Craigslist. Just when we think all you are is a repository for the mentally ill to post their daily dream journals and “screenwriter” job offers that amount to, “Write this script for free and we’ll sell it to your Hollywood contacts that you have,” we come across something like a couple with “30 to 40 ounces” of pure breast milk that they’re just giving away. (more…)

What it is: A small burger-and-beer joint with an inventive menu that invites you to stray from the script.

Why We Love It: For all the hype about the purportedly Smith Streetish food scene in Ditmas Park, there are gaping holes in the neighborhood menu. Ox Cart fills the hearty pub fare niche without resting on its lack of competition. Plus, it’s a rare and welcome destination on underdoggy Newkirk Avenue, a quiet cousin to Cortelyou. (more…)

Participatory budgeting is sweeping Brooklyn! Following in Councilmember Levin and Councilmember Lander’s footsteps all over brownstone Brooklyn, resident badass City Councilmember Jumaane Williams is letting East Flatbush residents get in on the fun! You’ll be guided by a facilitator in small dialogues at a Neighborhood Assembly, where you and your neighbors will decide what to do with $1 MILLION in discretionary funds. (more…)

What it is: Sycamore calls itself the “coziest bar in Brooklyn,” and while we aren’t ready to throw Brokelyn’s editorial might behind that assertion, we’ll put it squarely in the running, with its bricky, woody, wool-sweatery feel, friendly bartenders and one’s tendency to get sucked in and never leave. (more…)

Just because summer is over doesn’t mean it’s time to stop going to the movies. After all, we’re still a few months away from Hollywood’s typical late-winter toxic waste dumping season. And before that, comes the fall and winter rush of big movies like the Thor sequel, the Hunger Games sequel, the Secret Life of Walter Mitty and The Counselor which is blessedly not a sequel or based on a book. Why pay top dollar to see one of these though, when you can pay less than the cost of two tickets for the tickets, two drinks and two popcorns? (more…)

They were actually arguing over who gets the last black and white cookie

Say what you will about Anthony Weiner, like, for example, that he lacks even the most basic amount of self-control to the point where it cost him the only job he ever wanted in his entire life, but the guy knows how to yell at people. He made his name doing it in the House of Representatives, without doing much else, and he’s had somedecentrun-ins during this election cycle. But soon the primary will be over and the only people Anthony Weiner will be able to yell at are people on the street. Well, OK, that’s what’s happening in this video, but the difference is there won’t be a huge media throng around him to record doing a sad, funny rendition of 2Pac’s “Only God Can Judge Me” in a Boro Park bakery. (more…)

What is it: The snazzy, woody bar and restaurant is a pillar of “the new Smith Street,” as Marty Markowitz has described Cortelyou Road.

Why we love it: Rustic but not pig-farmy, trend-conscious but not precious, Castello Plan is highbrow modern Brooklyn but not achingly so. Castello’s wide-ranging menu has an adventurous side (gazpacho with white peach and seared squid) but doesn’t thumb its nose at updated classics (tagliatelle with tomato pesto and pecorino.) (more…)